The Judy In London Diary

April 5th 1951

Judy arrives in England

April 9th - May 12th 1951

Engagement at the London Palladium. Twice nightly & Wednesday and Saturday matinees. 'New' songs included "Here I am" and "Love Is Sweeping The Country". Others on the bill - Max Bygraves, The Debonairs and Big Bill.


Also April 9th After her 1st night Judy attended Kay Thompson's Opening night at the Cafe De Paris.



July 20th 1951


Performed at the tribute to Sid Field at the London Palladium.


October 15th 1957

Recorded "It's so Lovely to be back again in London" at St Johns Wood Studios.





October 16th 1957 - November 16th 1957


The Judy Garland Show at the Dominion Theatre with musical arranger Gordon Jenkins and Dancing boys.




November 18th 1957

Presented to the Queen at the Royal Variety Show at the London Palladium . Judy sung "Rockabye Your Baby".


During her 1957 stay, Judy was guest of honour at the Variety Club Lunch, interviewed by Godfrey Win on Radio, frequented the celebrity haunt "Winstons Club" and attended a ball at the Savoy Hotel.


July 1960



Press Conference for Capitol Records, at EMI, Manchester Sqr, London.
Judy rents Carol Reed's house in Kings Row, Chelsea, where she lives with Sid, Liza, Lorna and Joey.


August 2nd 1960- August 9th 1960


Recording sessions at London's famous St Johns Wood Studios - a couple of tracks were released on Capitol's "The Garland Touch" in 1962; the full sessions were released in 1978 on the double album "Judy In London".






August 28th 1960


Judy's first 'solo' concert. London Palladium. (The song line up similar to 'Carnegie Hall' concert album).


September 4th 1960

as above.


December 1st 1960

Appeared on the St Johns Ambulance benefit at the Palladium.


During 1960



Judy made several outings with the children to see the stage musical "Oliver" and later Pantomime at the Adelphi. She attended the opening night of "Waiting in the Wings" and went to see "Song Without End". She recorded a conversation with Noel Coward for a news article, and guested at the JFK campaign party and at the Variety Club at the Savoy Hotel. She also sung at a party or two with Kay Thompson.


End April 1962

Press Conference at the Dorchester Hotel with Dirk Bogarde about starting work on a new film musical "The Lonely Stage" (Later to become "I Could Go On Singing").


Early May 1962

Rented a flat at Hyde Park Gate.
Recorded the songs for "I Could Go On Singing" at St Johns Wood Studios.


Mid May 1962 - Early August 1962



Making of "I Could Go On Singing" - Some of the Judy Garland Club members were extras.


June 10 1962

Judy's Birthday party at Shepperton Film Studios
Attended Frank Sinatra's Charity concert at Royal Festival Hall.

During this period Judy had a legal custody battle and wasn't out and about so much. However she was Noel Coward's guest at the opening of the stage musical "Sail Away" at the Savoy Theatre.


Mid August 1962

Judy departs having obtained child custody.


March 5th 1963




Judy at the Press conference at the Savoy Hotel promoting "I Could Go On Singing".







March 7th 1963



Judy attended the world premiere of "I Could Go On Singing" at the Plaza cinema.


March 10th 1963

Judy appears on "Sunday Night at the London Palladium". Judy received their highest fee, which she gave away to a Thalidomide Charity.




July 1st 1964 - 19 December 1964 - Judy Lives In London.


Judy arrives with Mark Herron, they rent a home in "The Boltons", Kensington. At home Judy entertains Vivien Leigh, Roddy McDowall, Peter Lawford and many other celebreties. Judy joins parties including ones hosted by Rex Harrison and Zsa Zsa Gabor. At Alma Cogan's party, Judy meets the Beatles. Both Judy and Liza sang at Juliet Coleman's 21st birthday party. Judy ventured into the East End to meet The Kray Brothers and sang at their local pub "The Rising Sun".





July 20th 1964

Admitted to a nursing home.


July 23rd 1964

Makes an unscheduled appearance at Night of 100 Stars at the Palladium singing "Swanee" and "Over the Rainbow". She meets Britains own great musical star of the 30's - Jessie Matthews.







Early August 1964

Judy records the "Maggie May" EP (with Lionel Bart and a number of the Judy Garland Club present) .


Early September 1964

Joined Toni Palmer on stage to sing "The Trolley Song" at Danny La Rue's Club.


October 1964

Judy attends "High Spirits" and the opening of "Hay Fever", sees Nureyev dance "Giselle" at Covent Garden, and Lena Horne's opening night at "Talk Of The Town".




November 6th 1964

Judy and Liza rehearse for their concert.


November 8th, & 16th, 1964




Judy and Liza do Mother / Daughter concert at the London Palladium. After concert party at the Mayfair Hotel (fans from JG Club invited).


November 25th 1964

Taped the Jack Paar TV show at the Prince of Wales Theatre.


November 29th 1964

Judy goes to the Judy Garland Club Meeting at the Russell Hotel. She sang "Make Someone Happy" and "I Wish You Love" with the Allen Brothers. Talked with members and made fun of the "Harvey Girls" which was being shown. Note In the 1960's the London based fan club was the only one that Judy patroned. Sadly those days cannot be recaptured and despite clasping to that patronage the club is quite changed. If Judy were alive today, she would most likely be delighted by the wonderful tributes to her and chose instead to endorse one or more of the many fanbases on the Internet, e.g The Judy Garland Showroom.






December 1964

Attended stage musical "Little Me" at the Cambridge, "The Royal Hunt of the Sun", and "Beyond The Fringe". Joined a radio live after midnight chat show and recorded a Christmas anecdote for Bernard Braden's TV Programme.









December 28th 1968 - February 2nd 1969




Concert engagement at the night club "Talk of the Town" (Now called "The Hippodrome") at Leicester Sqr.


January 4th 1969


Two Stage appearances at screenings of "A Star Is Born" at the National Film Theater. Judy answered questions from the fans.


January 19th 1969

Guest on "Sunday Night at the Palladium".

March 15th 1969



Married Mickey Deans, 35- reportedly a chain of 500 American cinemas were a present from groom to bride.The couple were maried at the Chelsea Registry Office. Reception at Quaglino's restaurant. Honeymoon planned for Majorca in event was a brief stay in Paris. The present did not materialise.


June 16 1969
A surprise visit to Tony Hatch / Jackie Trent's opening party of "Brian Anthony" a menswear shop at 8 Westmoreland place, Bromley. Around this time, Judy's husband, Mickey was still teaching Judy "new" songs ...the last to be recorded was "When Sonny Get's Blue". Judy's voice was still rich warm and tuneful.


June 22 1969



Judy's home. 4 Cadogan Lane, Chelsea.


Judy get's up in the early hours of the morning and takes an accidental overdose of sleeping pills. Her frail body did not survive. Judy died alone in her bathroom.

The Judy Garland Rose Today
at Ferncliff Cemetary and In London's Regent's Park.

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